coastal – Page 47 – besthike.com

April 16, 2008

Nualolo – Awa Awaphui Trails Loop, Hawaii

Truly one of the best hikes in the world. Of many possible options, the best way to hike the cliff edge of the NÄ Pali Coast in Kauai is on this loop.

larger original
Distance: 12.2mi (9.8 without walking the road)
Elevation gain: 3,000ft (914m)

You could start with breakfast at Kokee Lodge in Koke’e State Park. The trailhead is nearby. And parking is secure.

From there the NuÊ»alolo Trail 3.75m (6km) takes you to a superb vista of NuÊ»alolo Valley.

It’s gorgeous. But the spur out to the “Lolo” Lookout is scary enough that some day hikers opt not to go all the way to the railing.

Rather than backtrack, use any hiking guidebook to find what’s often called the “Cliff Trail” which follows the edge of the DROP over to the next viewpoint. This section is not a scramble, but it is dangerous with no shortage of “exposure”. If raining, you may not want to traverse.

Amazingly, the vista from Awa Awaphui Lookout is even better, the steep-sided NuÊ»alolo and AwaÊ»awapuhi Valleys unique and mesmerizing.

The highlight of the day, for me, was looking DOWN on helicopters in the valleys below.

Click PLAY or watch a short video on YouTube.

When you can tear yourself away from the cliff edge, the AwaÊ»awapuhi Trail 3.25 (5.2km) climbs back up to the highway.

The only downside of this route was the 2mi walk downhill on the road to my vehicle at Kokee State Park campground and Lodge:

Amazing.

See the rest of my photos from this hike on flickr.

April 14, 2008

hike Na Pali in Hawaii with kids

Often included on lists of “best hikes in the world” â€” deservedly â€” is the Kalalau Trail on Kauai. It’s widely considered the best hike in Hawaii.

Many non-hiking tourists get a taste of the Kalalau by doing the challenging first 2mi (3.2km) from the trailhead at Ke’e Beach through to gorgeous Hanakapiai Beach.

Ke’e Beach

Hanakapiai Beach

We took a group of kids. Everyone enjoyed the adventure. All had a great day.

But I was somewhat shocked how unprepared many are on this day hike. This is a very dangerous adventure in many ways.

In fact, on the way out we met one woman with a lower body injury of some kind. The Fire Department was hiking in to evacuate her with this rig:

In other spots on the Kalalau Trail they evacuate by helicopter.

Fantastic hike for everyone, including kids. But please people, be careful on the Na Pali coast.

See the rest of our photos from that day hike on flickr.

details on the side trip to Hanakapi’ai Falls – Trailspotting

more information – Kauai Explorer

April 3, 2008

best hike south coast Kauai, Hawaii

The Maha’ulepu Coast.

As the last accessible undeveloped coastline on the south shore of Kauai, Maha`ulepu is a quiet retreat, a place to get away from the crowds at popular resort beaches. …

The area is also a remote retreat for resident and visitor alike to be awed and inspired by its beauty and rich past. The scenic splendor of Maha`ulepu, natural and undeveloped, includes majestic Ha`upu Mountain over-looking the fertile valley, the dramatic coastal headlands, the intimate bays and long sandy beaches. …

Best Places Hawaii

We spent 2 days exploring, hiking and trail running the Maha’ulepu Coast with and without kids. Fantastic!

We started here, only steps away from a luxury resort:

The coastline is endlessly fascinating, but slightly dangerous. You would not want to fall on the jagged lava.

The biggest highlight was seeing two rare monk seals close up. They love to lounge and sleep on the beach â€” just like obese tourists.

The hike ends here:

Unless you ignore these signs, as local fishermen do.

Browse about 70 photos on flickr to see more of the Maha’ulepu Coast.

March 30, 2008

Queen Charlotte Track, New Zealand

Love in a Tent loved the QCT, posting a detailed trip report:

… We randomly decided to spend 4 days doing the 3-5 day trip, without having first checked on details like, say, the distance. So we were a little surprised to see that it was 71km long – that’s longer than our 5-day trek on the St. James Walkway! In order to complete it in 4 days, we would have to walk an average of 18km per day. That’s pretty far for us, with full packs on. But we figured it must be such easy terrain that it wouldn’t be a problem. …

There are five Dept. of Conservation campsites along the track (no huts though), and a few private ones. The track is very popular because there are also a range of other accommodation options, ranging from budget hostels to fancy resorts. So lots of people stay in comfortable rooms with hot showers and restaurant meals while they experience the walkway. One of the other convenient features of the track is that you can arrange to have your pack (or suitcase I suppose) transferred to your next overnight stop by boat, so that you can walk with only a day pack. Both resort-stayers and campers tend to use this service, which makes walking longer distances easier and more pleasant.

But being gluttons for punishment, we opted to carry our big, heavy packs the whole way. Why? Ostensibly so that we weren’t tied to any specific destination on a given day. But really, I can’t think of any good reason why we did it. If I did the track again, I’d certainly opt for the pack transfer service. It was the same price as the water taxi with no pack transfers, so why the hell not! …

Love in a Tent

Author Peter Potterfield and local expert Ray Waters hiked it last November:

… Most people take four days to do this impressive 71 kilometer route up the spine of the peninsula separating Queen Charlotte Sound from Kenepuru Sound, but if you make the long trek out to Punga Cove on day one you can do it in three long days, about 23 kilometers per day. A unique feature of the route is that it’s a bit like trekking in Nepal–you can do it with a day pack, while the boat, and not a yak or a porter, takes the rest of your gear onto the next stop. The light load makes the long days no problem. …

New Zealand Hikes: The Queen Charlotte Track – Great Outdoors

This is a fantastic destination for all levels of experience.

besthike.com information page – Queen Charlotte Track

March 24, 2008

North Coast Trail vs West Coast Trail

The only person more excited than me about the new North Coast Trail on Vancouver Island, Canada, is BluePeak editor Rogier Gruys.

Rogier linked to an article in Wild Coast Magazine in which the authors claim the NCT is even better than the famed WCT, our #1 hike in the world.

High praise!

We’ll need to hike the North Coast Trail during the summer of 2008 to see for ourselves. The article includes an excellent map:

screenshot – original

Don’t start packing yet. The official website today still states:

The Trail is not complete. Hikers are requested to avoid using any part of the route until after construction is finished.

Northern Vancouver Island Trails Society

March 24, 2008

KauaÊ»i – Hawaiian hiking paradise

I’ve finally done it.

Made the trekker’s pilgrimage to the volcanic island of KauaÊ»i (also spelled Kauai). My first trip.

There are more miles of hiking trails here than on the rest of Hawaiian islands combined. It’s the “Garden Isle”. The one used in the opening fly-in scene for Jurassic Park.

The most useful website I’ve found is Hawaii Trails:

Hawaii Trails – Kauai map

The second highest peak is Mount WaiÊ»aleÊ»ale near the center of the island, one of the wettest spots on Earth with an annual average rainfall of 460in (11.7m). The resulting floods have eroded deep canyons, including what Mark Twain dubbed the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific” â€” Waimea Canyon, 10mi (16km) long and up to 3000ft (900m) deep.

NASA

We’ll head first to Waimea. I’m using Robert Smith’s hiking guidebook:

Hiking Kauai, the Garden Isle

March 17, 2008

walking Long Beach, British Columbia

One of the great coastal walks of the world is Long Beach on Vancouver Island. I try to get out there at least once every year.

It’s the gorgeous section of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve between Tofino and Ucluelet.

What do you think?

larger original – flickr

more amazing photos of this wonderland by Bravewest

My friend, journalist Kate Zimmerman was out last year for the first time en route to the Tofino Food and Wine Festival. Here’s what she wrote:

… Itâ€™s the beach, though, that cries out to you. One glimpse of its broad, silken sands, bracketed by rocky outcrops topped with bravely coping conifers, and staying indoors seems ludicrous. We dashed out to glory in the crashing waves and enjoy the driftwood seating so thoughtfully provided by nature. The boys danced in the surf while we shivered just watching them and we all tossed sticks, seaweed and even mussels for leash-free mutts who thought they were in paradise. Another day, at low tide, the small pools at one end of the beach were jeweled with anemones and starfish while crabs scuttled to safety as the dogs splashed about. …

Go West, Young Men, Dogs and Gourmands – Kate of Late

Leave a comment if you have your own fond memories of Long Beach.

There are many great hikes nearby, most famously the West Coast Trail.

March 14, 2008

hiking the Canary Islands, Spain

If I was flying there today, I’d head for the Island of Gran Canaria.

The Canary Islands are an African archipelago which are part of Spain and consist of seven islands of volcanic origin in the Atlantic Ocean. They are located off the north-western coast of mainland Africa (Morocco and the Western Sahara).

Wikipedia

That’s the home of Rambling Roger and his wife Eileen. They are super experienced hiking guides. Or they can set you up with the best guidebook and maps for your independent hiking.

The guidebook is self-published by Roger, available hard copy or PDF.

I don’t know much about Gran Canaria. Let’s see some “interesting photos” on flickr.

original – roca del cangrejo – flickr – maccanti

original – flickr – maccanti

Nice!

Will contact you when I get there, Roger.

March 14, 2008

walking Torrey Pines, California

Not the golf course, I’m talking about Torrey Pines State Reserve north of San Diego.

Everyone loves this area. It’s perfect for all levels of experience and ability.

Moon California Hiking recommends Razor Point and Beach Trail Loop as a “best hike”. But there’s no need to stick to that 2.5mi itinerary. You can wander this small park’s network of trails as you will.

Parking costs money at the trailhead. But is free (if you can find a spot) along the beach.

I was looking for a workout and decided on a trail run heading south down the gorgeous beach past this guy:

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Here’s the access point to the cliff top reserve:

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Your reward at the top are a number of Pacific Ocean overlooks from the “eroded coastal badlands”. Very scenic!

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more photos – flickr

Torrey Pines State Reserve – official website

(Note: This is not the Torrey Pines Trail in Channel Islands National Park)

March 2, 2008

Kalalau Trail, Hawaii

Yet another “must-hike” on Kauai.

Na Pali – the Cliffs in Hawaiian – is one of the most beautiful and remote areas on Kauaâ€˜i. The strenuous eleven-mile Kalalau Trail winds along this rugged coastline, providing the only land access to legendary Kalalau Valley. The trail and facilities are rugged; some eroded areas are very narrow over cliffs that are hundreds of feet high.